Psychiatric Aspects of Radiation Accidents

ABSTRACT

Radiation disasters have a potential to cause a widespread feeling of destruction of safety in life and severe and complicated psychiatric problems to individuals and community. When a radiation accident occurs, it is essential to recognize the importance of psychosocial issues and to focus on the mental health aspect of victims. A radiation accident can produce profound psychological impacts at all levels of society, affecting individuals, families, communities, and the nation as a whole. These psychological effects may create longer-term problems, and the social stigma can be powerful and pervasive. The "post-traumatic stress reaction" has a broad range of disturbances from hyperarousal to psychiatric disorders, and can produce a marked deterioration in the quality of life. The strategy of the continuing care has been modest, based on promoting the victims' self-esteem and ability to cope with the disaster, while providing both social and life support. Rapid and appropriate intervention containing 'information management' is essential to prevent the progression of psychiatric disorders. Consideration of psychosocial factors needs to be an integral part of domestic preparedness efforts including multidimensional approach (planning, education, training, forum, and response operations). Therefore mental health care should be incorporated into the global strategy for victims' care, and this has to be done at a very early stage after the accident.